Abstract: An improved touch control switch is adapted to be a direct replacement for a standard toggle switch in a standard single-gang or multi-gang switch box. The touch control switch includes a touch panel mountable on the outside of a standard wall plate and a touch control circuit mountable in the switch box on the inside of the wall plate. An electrically conductive path is provided through the standard rectangular opening in the wall plate to communicate an electrical signal from the touch plate to the touch control circuit. The touch panel is also movable in either of two vertical directions. The vertical movement of the touch panel is mechanically communicated through the opening in the wall plate to actuate an air-gap switch to provide positive disconnection of the electrical power from the a.c. source to the touch control circuit. An illuminated display device is provided to indicate when power is applied to the touch control circuitry and to indicate the location of the touch panel in a darkened room.

Abstract: Disclosed is a touch control lamp system, including a touch control dimmer switch adapted to be plugged into a standard electrical household outlet, and a lamp having a male electrical plug adapted to plug into the touch control switch. When the plug from the lamp is plugged into the touch control switch, a touch control wire in the power cord of the lamp connects a conductive portion of the lamp to the touch control circuitry in the touch control switch, so that the lamp may be controlled by touching the conductive portion of the lamp. Moreover, a conventional lamp may be plugged into the touch control switch, which may be controlled by a touch control wire separately connected to the touch control switch.

Abstract: A portable light for emergency illumination which is activated in response to the sound emitted by a smoke alarm device, which light has an efficient and reliable battery conserving circuit. The present light includes a switch interconnecting a battery and a light bulb for selectively activating the light bulb and a circuit interconnecting a microphone and the switch for selectively activating the switch in response to a smoke alarm signal. A strobe circuit interconnects the source of power and the circuit for periodically activating the circuit which, therefore, draws power for only a small fraction of the time.

Abstract: A simplified compact preloaded camera including a mechanism for automatically advancing the film and resetting the shutter. The camera includes a one-piece molded body having walls which define viewfinder, film supply, film exposure and takeup areas. Film is wound on a pretensioned spring-driven spool which is released after each picture is taken in order to advance the film to the next frame. A simple shutter mechanism is included, and both the resetting of the shutter mechanism and film advancement are controlled by a single spring. The camera is designed to be used while in a box. When a roll of film is completed, the box is sealed shut and mailed to the processor.